Washboard



May 11 1926. 1,584,594

C. BACHELET WASHBOABD Filed Oct. 51, 1532b Patented May ll, 1926.

a was T? a e in CELESTE BAGEELET, (3F MGUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

WASHBOARD.

Application filed October 31, 1325.

This invention is a novel improvement in washboards, and the principal object is to provide a small thumb washboard which may be held in the palm of either hand, the

5 thumb of the hand projecting through an opening in the washboard, in somewhat the same manner as an artists palette is held.

Anotliei object of my invention is to provide a very small wash board which can be readily held in either hand, and especially adapted for use in washing small articles such as lingerie and infants clothing, can be readily carried in a valise or trunk, and can be used for washing articles in an ordinary bowl or wash basin,

The accompanying drawing shows the invention in its preferred form, and the claims summarize the essential elements of the invention and the novel features of the washboard for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the washboard in position for use and grasped in the hand, much like an artists palette is held.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the board.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the board shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4. is a longitudinal section on the line &4, Fig. 2,

As shown, the washboard preferably comprises a reversible corrugated or roughened metallic body portion 1, which in the example shown is provided with parallel transverse corrugations 1*. It is also provided with an opening 1 near one end through which the thumb of the user may be inserted, as shown in Figure 1, the board being adapted to be held in either hand of the user by inserting the thumb of the hand through this opening, and clasping the board between the thumb and lingers as indicated in Figure 1. When so held in this position the washboard can be very conveniently used to rub articles thereon in laundering tine linen and small articles such as are commonly washed only by hand because washing them on an ordinary washboard would be too severe.

" In the construction shown the wash board is stiffened and strengthened by a frame 2 which is preferably also of metal and has no sharp edges, the lower corners of the frame being supplied with fillets 2 so to avoid any sharp edges or corners which might tear the goods or articles. The edge Serial No. 66,040.

of the opening 1 is also provided with a heading 1 to prevent cutting the lingers of the operator, or in ury to the goods be ing washed thereon.

To the top of the board is attached an adjustable splash member 3 which is as long as the board is wide and is provided with flanged end portions 3 which to engage the side edges of the frame 2 of the board, and these flange portions 3 are pivotally attached to the side members of the frame by any suitable manner, such as e adapted by screws 8 tapped into internally threaded lugs 2 on the side members of the frame 2 as indicated in the drawings. This splash member 3 can be adjusted to either side of the board, so that same may be adjusted.

into proper position when the board is held either in the right or left hand.

The board is reversible so that it can be held in either the right or left han ls to suit either a right-handed or left-handed user, and the splash member can be adjusted to either side of the board as above explained. This board is preferably made about onethird the size of the ordinary washboard. so that it can be conveniently held in the hand as described, and used for cleansing articles which are ordinarily rubbed on the palm of the hand, thus obviously saving the hand or the user, and facilitating washing. Moreover, it can be conveniently carrled 1n the vahse or traveling case, and the washboard can reachly be used for washing articles in an ordinary bowl or wash basin,

I do'not limit my invent-ion to the exact form shown in the drawing for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A wash board for the purpose specified, having a scrubbing surface provided with an opening within the confines ot the fines of the scrubbing area for the passage of the thumb of the user, whereby said board may be held in the hand substantially hke a palette, with a splasher plate substantially at right angles to the scrubbing surface swingably mounted at the top end of the board.

3. A reversible wash board for the purpose specified adapted to be held in the hand and having a scrubbing surface provided with an opening Within. the confines of the scrubbing area adjacent one corner for the passage of the thumb of the user, whereby said board may be held substantially like a palette, with a pivoted splash plate substantially at right angles to the scrubbing surface attached to the end ml" the board adjacent said opening, said splash plate being adjustable to either side 01'' the board.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I a'fiix my signature.

CELESTE BAG/HELP) 

